Strange, my first posting, and it has nothing to do with the real reason we are all on this board. Since this is a sounding board, and all you need is an opinion, and as long as you have some respect for the board you can voice your feelings. The only problem that I have with this is that most readers only get their information from headlines and soundbites. Its a bit more complex than that. Lets get something straight. To say both sides are equally guilty, is nothing more than political correctness run amok. Odd scenario, but bare with me. Just imagine you move into a new neighbourhood and decide its just what you are looking for. You decide to raise a family, but just as soon as your first child is born, every neighbour in your area, as well as their friends in adjacent areas and all their relatives decide that they not only want you to leave, they want to kill your child, you, all your family members both living and not yet born, and will go to whatever length needed to accomplish this task. Nevermind, that for every member of your family, they have 50 in theirs, and that instead of trying to educate themselves and improve their quality of life, they much prefer to keep their less fortunate family members cold and hungry and blame it on you. Well without sounding trite, this is essentially what the middle east has become. I hate killing and violence, BUT I do believe in self defence. The western world publicly denounces Israel, but privately wish they could deal with their sworn enenies with such swift measures. Let me go on record as saying that Israel did not invade Arab nations in 1948 when the UN mandated them as a nation. Israel did not shut the Suez Canal in 1956. Israel did not amass 500,000 troops around their country in 1967. Israel did not attack any Moslem country on Ramadan as they were invaded in 1973 by their neighbourson their holiest of days Yom Kippur. Israel actually has elections, a vibrant economy, freedom, and gives all their citizens regardless of ethnicity or religeon. I don't recall any group of Israelis carrying out terrorist activities. Yes Israel is now rolling around in the muck and mire of death and violence, but only because it doesn't have a choice. Annialation is not an option. It was tried 70 years ago. It didn't succeed then and it won't now.
Well, got that off my chest, feel better now